Pierce Transit introduces new online bus trip planner

Pierce Transit has introduced a new online, regional trip planning tool to help transit riders plan bus trips throughout Pierce County and around Puget Sound. The new Trip Planner, available at PierceTransit.org, includes many new features, such as:

Ability to see your bus in real-time on a map
Option to locate your “to” and “from” locations by pointing to a spot on a map rather than entering an exact address
Ability to view and print bus schedules from your desktop browser
More accurate lookup tool with new preloaded destinations, including landmarks, companies and many other locations
Integrated trip planning that taps a variety of transit modes (local bus, light rail, commuter rail, express bus, ferry and more) integrated together to plan a seamless trip
New step-by-step tutorial

The new Trip Planner is available on both desktop computers and mobile devices. If Pierce Transit customers have questions or comments about the Trip Planner, they should contact Pierce Transit online at PierceTransit.org/contact-us and use the website tab to pose questions or offer feedback.

In addition to the new Trip Planner, Pierce Transit has recently introduced several other new technology tools that are helping customers plan their transit trips and get bus arrival information. Those include:

An official partnership with Transit app, which offers step-by-step trip planning, information about bus load levels, real-time bus tracking and many other features
The ability to text or call 253.533.7084 from a bus stop, enter the stop number and receive a reply about when the next bus will arrive
Real-time bus arrival monitors at transit centers, including Tacoma Dome Station
PiercePay mobile ticketing through a partnership with the Hopthru app
Route text alerts available for signup at PierceTransit.org/StayConnected

Riders can also plan trips by:

Checking route schedules on PierceTransit.org/pierce-transit-routes
Calling the agency’s Customer Service Office at 253.581.8000, option 1, 1.

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Trip Planner Help

Trip Planner Tips - Entering Locations

To create a trip plan you need to enter both a starting location (origin) and an ending location (destination). For information about stops, schedules, or service at a specific location, you only need to enter one location.

The Trip Planner recognizes most street intersections and addresses as well as many landmarks in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. If what you entered is not immediately recognized, the Trip Planner will offer you a list of options. You can choose one of the options, but if your intended location is not there, select the "Revise Original Entries" link to return to the entry page and change the entries you have already made.

Addresses

You don't need to type in the city along with the address. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type 110 Jones instead of 110 Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 1000 Main instead of 1000 S Main. But type 1000 West Viewmont for 1000 West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets and addresses are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby location, such as an intersection or a landmark.
You should not enter the suite number or apartment number. Just the house number and street name (Example: type in 401 Broadway instead of 401 Broadway Avenue Suite 800).

Intersections

The "&" symbol is the only character used between two street names to show an intersection. (Examples: 1st & B, James & Madison)
You don't need to type in the city. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type Conifer & Jones instead of Conifer Circle & Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 3rd & Main instead of 3rd S & S Main. But type 34th & West Viewmont for 34th W & West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby intersection or a landmark.

Landmarks

Government Sites: Pierce County Health Dept, Pierce Co Sheriffs Office, Tacoma City Hall

Major Commercial Sites: Tacoma Mall, Sheraton Hotel

Transportation Facilities: Sea-Tac Airport, Greyhound Bus Depot

Schools & Colleges: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Community College

Sports & Leisure: Cheney Stadium, Pt Defiance Zoo

Medical Facilities: Group Health, Tacoma General Hospital